Aussie software developers heading to the Valley

Open global HQ on Gold Coast

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Australian open source software developer, Opmantek, is expanding to Silicon Valley following the opening of a new global HQ in Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The expansion follows the company’s acquisition of the intellectual property of network management open source software platform, Network Management Information System (NMIS), in May.

NMIS, which claims a user base of about 10,000 organisations globally, has been developed over the last 12 years to manage IT networks of up to 75,000 devices.

“Opmantek leverages an extensive network of technology experts around the world. We are very excited and proud to be able to bring opportunity to bright technology professionals on the Gold Coast who will be involved at the heart and brains of a globally-operating technology innovator,” said Opmantek CEO Danny Maher

He added that the global network management industry is valued at more than $AU4 billion annually with strong demand coming from businesses to find more efficient, open-source systems that can be adapted to suit their needs.

The establishment of the company’s new digs was supported by the Gold Coast’s Investment Attraction Program, which had already lured IBM to the Gold Coast.

Maher added, “we also plan to open a satellite office at Silicon Valley in the United States and rotate our employees through it, introducing them to senior engineers and bringing their skills back to the Gold Coast. This will help us attract and retain top employees locally.”

Since it was established in 2009, the Investment Attraction Program has helped create over 1200 jobs and stimulated $AU75 million in local investment.

The initiative is aiming to turn the Gold Coast into Australia’s answer to Silicon Valley by providing incentives for local and international technology firms to move to the area.

“Within the next 20 years, I believe we will be one of the leading IT hubs in the country. We need to continue to diversify the city’s economy and with four local universities, we have a highly-skilled local workforce to support a growing local IT industry,” said Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chair, Councillor Susie Douglas. ®